Surface 2 Review: Better, But MSFT Windows RT Remains

Surface 2 review highlights the pros and cons of MSFT gadget

This fall, Microsoft (MSFT) released a follow-up to the Surface RT: the Microsoft Surface 2. It dropped the RT in the name, but Microsoft Windows 8.1 RT still powers the tablet.

Microsoft sent me one to try out and I’ve been putting it through its paces for the past week. My Surface 2 review follows on the next few pages.

MSFT caught everyone off-guard with the announcement it was getting into the tablet game — not only building its own hardware, but introducing a new mobile version of Windows (RT) to power its consumer model. Reviews were mixed and the Surface RT turned out to be a disappointment for Microsoft. The device was largely ignored by consumers (despite deep discounts), while Windows RT as a platform was shunned by Microsoft’s manufacturing partners.

As a result, Microsoft took a $900 million write-down on unsold Surface RT inventory.

Our Surface 2 review shows that things may be looking up for MSFT’s entry level tablet, but Windows RT is still going to confuse potential buyers.